House 'total loss' after basement fire

A house in Split Rock, just outside of Eastern Sioux Falls, is considered a total loss after it caught fire Sunday evening. Though the homeowners had vacated the house prior to the arrival of emergency personnel, the Red Cross says “some pets” perished in the fire.

Firefighters from Sioux Falls, Brandon and Split Rock were called in to battle the blaze, which was first called in around 6 p.m.

“When I arrived on scene, we had heavy flame and smoke out of the front of the house. The front porch had already collapsed by the time we got here.” Split Rock fire chief Darrin Tille said.

The Red Cross says the fire started in the basement and spread quickly to the home. Though the cause of the fire is under investigation, Tille told reporters it is not believed to be fireworks-related.

The main fire had been extinguished as of 7:30 p.m., but crews were still on scene dealing with heavy smoke and trying to put out a fire in the attic.

“The house is very old construction, so the…plaster makes it a little difficult to get up into the attic,” Tille explained.

The Red Cross was on hand providing assistance with immediate lodging and needs for the people impacted.

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen . Follow Katie Nelson on Twitter at @katienjourno.

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